Project – An Exegetical Study of Forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–35 and Its Relevance to Conflict Resolution in Nigerian Churches. A study of Selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri, Imo State.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Forgiveness is a fundamental theme in Christian theology because it concerns the relationship between God and humanity, the moral responsibilities of believers, and the restoration of relationships damaged by wrongdoing. Within Christian teaching, forgiveness involves responding to an offence without allowing resentment, retaliation, or the desire for revenge to determine the future of a relationship. Nevertheless, forgiveness should not be reduced to a simple emotional response or an instruction to ignore wrongdoing. It also raises questions about repentance, justice, accountability, reconciliation, and the restoration of trust. In the Gospel of Matthew, forgiveness occupies an important place in Jesus’ teaching on the ethical responsibilities of members of the community of disciples. Matthew 18:21–35 presents forgiveness through Peter’s question about the frequency of forgiving an offending brother or sister and Jesus’ response through the parable of the unforgiving servant. The passage challenges the idea that forgiveness should be restricted to a predetermined number of offences and illustrates the inconsistency of receiving mercy while refusing to extend mercy to others. Carroll (2023) observes that Matthew 18 brings together mercy, forgiveness, and accountability as essential elements of life within the Christian community. Similarly, Kim (2022) interprets forgiveness in Matthew 18:15–35 as a way of life that reflects participation in God’s transforming work. These perspectives establish forgiveness as both a theological principle and a practical responsibility relevant to Christian relationships, church unity, and the management of interpersonal disputes.

A proper understanding of forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–35 requires attention to its literary setting within the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 18 is commonly understood as a major discourse dealing with the character, relationships, and responsibilities of the community of Jesus’ followers. The chapter addresses humility, care for vulnerable members, the recovery of those who go astray, procedures for addressing wrongdoing, communal agreement, and forgiveness. The passage under investigation follows Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 18:15–20 concerning how a member of the community should respond when another member commits an offence. Peter’s question in verses 21–22 therefore emerges within a discussion of wrongdoing and the maintenance of relationships among disciples. Rather than treating forgiveness as an isolated religious virtue, the passage places it within the practical challenges of sustaining a community in which members may offend one another. Davies and Allison (1991), in their scholarly commentary on Matthew, provide an important exegetical foundation for examining the literary structure, historical background, and theological significance of the Gospel. Likewise, the contextual reading of Matthew 18 by Carroll (2023) emphasises the relationship between mercy and accountability. This context is particularly relevant to churches because disagreements involving members, leaders, families, and congregational groups require responses that preserve both moral responsibility and the possibility of restored relationships. Consequently, the study of Matthew 18:21–35 must consider its immediate literary context before drawing conclusions about its application to contemporary church conflicts.

Matthew 18:21–22 begins with Peter asking Jesus how many times he should forgive a fellow believer who sins against him, proposing seven times as a possible limit. Jesus responds by saying that forgiveness should extend beyond this proposed limit, expressed in translations as either seventy-seven times or seventy times seven. The precise rendering differs between Bible translations, but the central ethical force of the response is that forgiveness should not be governed by a restrictive numerical calculation. Peter’s question reflects a practical concern about repeated wrongdoing, while Jesus’ response challenges an approach that treats forgiveness as a limited allowance that becomes exhausted after a particular number of offences. The passage therefore invites readers to reconsider attitudes that make forgiveness conditional upon the offender never repeating a mistake or upon the offended person maintaining a record of previous offences. Davies and Allison (1991) provide a foundation for examining this saying within Matthew’s wider theological presentation, while Carroll (2023) stresses that the passage must be read alongside the Gospel’s concern for accountability and the consequences of harmful behaviour. For Nigerian churches, this teaching is relevant to disagreements arising from misunderstandings, hurtful speech, leadership disputes, interpersonal rivalry, and other relational difficulties. However, the call to repeated forgiveness should not be interpreted as requiring victims to tolerate abuse, conceal misconduct, or abandon appropriate disciplinary procedures. Rather, it establishes a moral orientation towards mercy while leaving room for truth, responsibility, appropriate boundaries, and measures necessary to protect members of the church.

The central illustration in Matthew 18:23–35 is the parable of a servant whose enormous debt is cancelled by a king, yet who subsequently refuses to show comparable mercy to a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount. The contrast between the two debts is essential to the narrative. Having received extraordinary compassion, the first servant acts harshly towards another person who makes a plea similar to his own. His conduct exposes the contradiction between benefiting from mercy and refusing to demonstrate mercy in one’s relationships with others. Jesus concludes the parable with a warning concerning the seriousness of refusing to forgive from the heart. The narrative consequently presents forgiveness as more than a religious statement; it requires an ethical response that becomes visible in how individuals treat those who have wronged them. Davies and Allison (1991) discuss the passage within the theological and literary framework of Matthew, while the analysis by Kim (2022) connects forgiveness with the transformation of the believer’s life through practices such as prayer and repentance. The parable also provides an important foundation for examining the relationship between forgiveness and conflict resolution. A church member who demands leniency when personally at fault but refuses to extend reasonable mercy to others reproduces the contradiction illustrated by the servant. In congregational life, the passage therefore challenges selective forgiveness, persistent resentment, retaliatory conduct, and the use of past offences to perpetuate divisions. Its ethical implications include humility, reciprocal responsibility, compassion, and a willingness to pursue the restoration of relationships wherever this is appropriate and safe.

Although Matthew 18:21–35 strongly emphasises forgiveness, its interpretation in contemporary churches requires careful attention to the relationship between mercy and justice. Forgiveness concerns the offended person’s response to wrongdoing, while reconciliation involves the restoration of a relationship and ordinarily requires a process that addresses the circumstances that damaged it. Trust may take longer to recover than the decision to forgive, especially where the offence has caused substantial harm. In addition, accountability may require acknowledgement of wrongdoing, repentance, restitution, church discipline, or other appropriate corrective measures. Carroll (2023) cautions against reading the passage in a manner that separates mercy from accountability, arguing that both are important to the life of the Christian community. Kim (2022) also treats forgiveness as an embodied practice associated with repentance and the transformation of conduct. These interpretations are significant because an overly simplistic application of forgiveness can unintentionally protect wrongdoing or place unfair pressure on victims to resume relationships before it is safe to do so. In a church setting, forgiveness should not be used to silence legitimate complaints, obstruct investigations, or excuse abuse of spiritual authority. Instead, the passage can inform a balanced approach in which mercy is encouraged alongside truthful acknowledgement, appropriate discipline, protection of vulnerable people, and responsible efforts towards reconciliation. This distinction is particularly important when examining Anglican and Pentecostal congregations, where biblical teaching, pastoral counselling, church discipline, and leadership structures may shape the ways conflicts are addressed.

Conflict is an unavoidable possibility wherever people with different expectations, interests, interpretations, and leadership responsibilities interact. Churches are communities of faith, but their members remain human beings who may experience disagreements over leadership decisions, financial administration, ministry responsibilities, doctrine, interpersonal conduct, marriage and family issues, and the allocation of church resources. If such disagreements are not addressed constructively, they may result in mistrust, factionalism, withdrawal from church activities, leadership crises, or congregational division. Matthew 18 provides a biblical framework for addressing wrongdoing within the community, while verses 21–35 emphasise the importance of extending mercy rather than perpetuating resentment. Onyenali and Obasi (2025), in their study of Matthew 18:15–17 and conflict resolution in traditional Igbo communities, examine the relevance of the Gospel’s approach to correction and the management of communal disputes. Although their research focuses on a different section of Matthew 18, it offers a relevant contextual contribution to discussions of conflict management in Nigerian settings. Carroll (2023) similarly highlights the need to hold mercy and accountability together when interpreting Matthew 18. These insights suggest that the practical application of forgiveness requires more than preaching about the virtue of being forgiving. Churches also need appropriate ways of hearing complaints, correcting misconduct, encouraging repentance, mediating disagreements, and restoring relationships where possible. An exegetical study of Matthew 18:21–35 can therefore clarify the biblical principles that should inform these practices and provide a framework for examining how church members and leaders understand and apply forgiveness in conflict situations.

Owerri, the capital of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria, provides a relevant setting for examining the application of biblical forgiveness within different Christian traditions. Anglican and Pentecostal congregations share a commitment to the authority of Scripture, although they may differ in aspects of worship, ecclesiastical organisation, pastoral practice, and approaches to church governance. Anglican congregations generally operate within an established episcopal structure, whereas Pentecostal congregations encompass a variety of organisational arrangements and leadership practices. These broad distinctions should not be taken to mean that every congregation within either tradition manages conflict in the same way. Rather, they provide a reason to investigate how particular congregations interpret and apply biblical teaching in their own circumstances. The exegetical insights of Davies and Allison (1991), the theological analysis of Kim (2022), and Carroll’s (2023) discussion of mercy and accountability provide a scholarly basis for examining the passage. In addition, Onyenali and Obasi (2025) demonstrate the relevance of Matthew’s teaching on addressing wrongdoing to communal conflict resolution in an Igbo context. Nevertheless, the actual experiences, procedures, and challenges of the selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri must be established through empirical research rather than assumed from their denominational identities. This study therefore seeks to interpret Matthew 18:21–35 in its biblical context and assess its relevance to conflict resolution in selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri, with particular attention to forgiveness, repentance, pastoral intervention, accountability, reconciliation, and the restoration of Christian fellowship.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Forgiveness is a central Christian responsibility, yet the practical application of this teaching may be difficult when believers experience personal injury, betrayal, misunderstanding, or prolonged disagreement. Matthew 18:21–35 presents a clear challenge to the practice of receiving mercy while refusing to extend mercy to others. Nevertheless, understanding a biblical instruction does not automatically guarantee that individuals will apply it consistently in their relationships. Carroll (2023) explains that Matthew 18 brings together forgiveness, mercy, and accountability, indicating that Christian community life requires both compassion and responsible responses to wrongdoing. Kim (2022) similarly emphasises forgiveness as a practice that must be embodied in the life of the Christian community. The problem addressed by this study is the possible gap between the biblical expectation of forgiveness and the actual ways church members respond to offences and disagreements. In selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri, it is necessary to investigate how members understand the teaching of Matthew 18:21–35 and whether their understanding influences their attitudes towards offenders, their willingness to forgive, and their participation in reconciliation processes.

Church conflicts may arise from disagreements over leadership, ministry responsibilities, church finances, doctrine, interpersonal relationships, and the exercise of authority. When such disagreements are accompanied by resentment, accusations, retaliation, or unwillingness to acknowledge wrongdoing, they may become prolonged and threaten the unity of the congregation. Matthew 18:15–35 addresses the handling of wrongdoing and the responsibility to forgive within the Christian community, making it an important biblical passage for examining these challenges. Onyenali and Obasi (2025) demonstrate the relevance of Matthew’s teaching on correction and communal conflict resolution in their study of traditional Igbo communities. However, the application of biblical principles to church disputes requires more than an appeal for members to forgive one another. It also requires appropriate procedures for hearing grievances, establishing facts, encouraging repentance, and ensuring accountability. The problem, therefore, is how the principles of forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–35 can be interpreted and applied in ways that address the causes of conflict without ignoring wrongdoing or undermining the rights and safety of those affected. The selected congregations in Owerri provide the setting for examining these questions within contemporary Nigerian church life.

Another problem concerns the possibility that Christians interpret forgiveness differently depending on their theological understanding, denominational background, personal experiences, and pastoral guidance. Some may understand forgiveness primarily as an immediate spiritual obligation, while others may associate it with repentance, restitution, reconciliation, or the restoration of trust. Confusion may also arise when forgiveness is treated as identical to reconciliation or when victims are expected to resume relationships without sufficient evidence of changed behaviour. Kim (2022) highlights the relationship between forgiveness, repentance, and the transformation of Christian conduct, while Carroll (2023) underscores the importance of considering both mercy and accountability in interpreting Matthew 18. These perspectives indicate that a responsible interpretation must recognise the moral seriousness of forgiveness without reducing it to the concealment of misconduct. In the context of Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri, it is important to establish how church leaders and members interpret repeated forgiveness, the conditions for reconciliation, and the relationship between mercy and church discipline. Without such investigation, recommendations for applying Matthew 18:21–35 may remain general and fail to address the actual difficulties experienced by congregations.

Although scholarly studies have examined forgiveness in Matthew 18, the theology of interpersonal forgiveness, and the relevance of Matthew’s conflict-management instructions to communal life, there remains a need to connect careful exegesis of Matthew 18:21–35 with the experiences of selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri. Davies and Allison (1991) provide a substantial commentary on Matthew, Kim (2022) examines the theology of forgiveness within Matthew 18:15–35, and Onyenali and Obasi (2025) investigate the relevance of Matthew 18:15–17 to conflict resolution in traditional Igbo communities. These works provide useful foundations, but they do not by themselves establish how the selected congregations in Owerri understand and apply the specific teaching of Matthew 18:21–35. The research problem is therefore the need to interpret the passage within its literary and theological context and investigate its practical relevance to conflict resolution in the selected churches. The study will examine the meaning of repeated forgiveness, the significance of the unforgiving servant’s conduct, and the relationship between forgiveness, repentance, accountability, and reconciliation. It will also investigate how these principles can inform church-based responses to disagreements and contribute to healthier relationships within Christian congregations.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to conduct an exegetical examination of forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–35 and assess its relevance to conflict resolution in selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri, Imo State.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the historical, literary, and theological context of forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–35.

2. Analyse the meaning and theological implications of repeated forgiveness and the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21–35.

3. Investigate the understanding and application of biblical forgiveness in conflict resolution among selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri, Imo State.

4. Assess how the principles of forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–35 can contribute to effective conflict resolution, reconciliation, accountability, and the restoration of Christian fellowship in the selected congregations.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following research questions:

1. What are the historical, literary, and theological contexts of forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–35?

2. What are the meaning and theological implications of repeated forgiveness and the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21–35?

3. How do members and leaders of selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri understand and apply biblical forgiveness in conflict resolution?

4. How can the principles of forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–35 contribute to effective conflict resolution, reconciliation, accountability, and the restoration of Christian fellowship in the selected congregations?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The study will test the following null hypothesis:

H₀: There is no statistically significant relationship between the application of forgiveness principles derived from Matthew 18:21–35 and perceived effectiveness of conflict resolution among members of selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri, Imo State.

Methodological note: This hypothesis is appropriate if the research includes quantitative data, such as questionnaire responses measuring forgiveness practices and perceived conflict-resolution effectiveness. If the study is exclusively exegetical and qualitative, the hypothesis may be omitted in favour of analytical propositions, subject to the institution’s research requirements.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study is expected to be significant in the following areas.

1. Biblical scholarship and exegesis

The study will contribute to the understanding of Matthew 18:21–35 by examining the historical, literary, and theological dimensions of the passage. It will clarify the relationship between Peter’s question, Jesus’ response concerning repeated forgiveness, and the parable of the unforgiving servant. The study will also demonstrate the importance of interpreting forgiveness in relation to mercy, repentance, accountability, and Christian community life.

2. Anglican and Pentecostal church leadership

The findings may help pastors, priests, church elders, and other leaders reflect on the biblical principles guiding their responses to disagreements among members. By relating the text to practical conflict-management procedures, the study may support the development of pastoral approaches that encourage forgiveness while maintaining appropriate standards of accountability and safeguarding.

3. Church members and Christian fellowship

The research may encourage church members to reconsider attitudes towards resentment, retaliation, repeated offences, and reconciliation. It may help them understand that forgiveness is a serious Christian responsibility and that rebuilding relationships may also require honesty, repentance, changed behaviour, and restored trust.

4. Conflict-resolution practice

The study may provide useful insights for church-based mediation, pastoral counselling, disciplinary procedures, and reconciliation initiatives. It will examine how biblical forgiveness can complement appropriate mechanisms for addressing grievances and preventing disagreements from developing into persistent divisions.

5. Religious studies and theological education

Students and researchers in biblical studies, Christian theology, pastoral studies, and religious studies may benefit from the study’s combination of textual interpretation and contemporary application. It may serve as a foundation for further research on forgiveness, reconciliation, church leadership, and conflict management in Nigeria.

6. Future researchers

The study may provide a basis for comparative research involving other Christian denominations, geographical areas, and religious communities. It may also encourage further investigation into the relationship between biblical teaching, denominational practices, pastoral counselling, and the lived experiences of Christians confronting interpersonal conflict.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The geographical scope of the study is limited to selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The particular congregations will be identified according to the research design, accessibility, and relevance to the research objectives.

The textual scope focuses on Matthew 18:21–35. The exegetical component will examine the passage’s literary context, historical background, narrative structure, principal characters, key expressions, and theological message. Particular attention will be given to Peter’s question about repeated forgiveness, Jesus’ response, the contrasting debts in the parable, the servant’s refusal to extend mercy, and the concluding warning.

The practical scope covers the application of forgiveness to conflict resolution within the selected congregations. Relevant issues may include interpersonal disputes, disagreements involving church leaders and members, repentance, pastoral intervention, church discipline, reconciliation, and the restoration of Christian fellowship.

The study will involve relevant church leaders and members, subject to the final sampling procedure. It will not attempt to generalise its findings to every Anglican or Pentecostal congregation in Nigeria. Rather, it will provide a focused examination of the selected congregations and draw conclusions consistent with the evidence collected.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

The study may encounter several limitations.

Sensitivity of church conflicts: Respondents may be reluctant to discuss actual disagreements because of concerns about confidentiality, reputation, or relationships with church leaders. The researcher will explain the academic purpose of the study, obtain informed consent, and avoid disclosing identifying details unnecessarily.

Differences in biblical interpretation: Church leaders and members may hold different interpretations of forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation. The researcher will distinguish the findings of the textual analysis from participants’ personal interpretations and will report differing perspectives fairly.

Limited geographical coverage: Since the research focuses on selected congregations in Owerri, its findings may not represent all Anglican and Pentecostal churches in Imo State or Nigeria. The study will clearly define its geographical and denominational boundaries.

Access to participants and records: Some congregations may restrict access to internal conflict-management records or individuals directly involved in disputes. The researcher will respect institutional procedures and use interviews, questionnaires, or other approved methods where appropriate.

Distinguishing forgiveness from reconciliation: Participants may use these terms interchangeably even though they involve related but distinct concepts. The researcher will provide clear operational definitions and use appropriately worded research questions to improve the accuracy of the data.

These limitations will be acknowledged when interpreting the findings. The researcher will seek to improve credibility through appropriate research procedures, careful documentation, and the comparison of evidence from different sources.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

Exegetical Study: A systematic examination of a biblical passage to establish its meaning through attention to historical background, literary context, language, structure, and theological significance.

Forgiveness: In this study, forgiveness refers to the decision and process of relinquishing personal vengeance and responding to wrongdoing in accordance with Christian principles of mercy. It does not necessarily mean the immediate restoration of trust or the removal of appropriate consequences.

Matthew 18:21–35: The biblical passage containing Peter’s question about how often to forgive, Jesus’ response, and the parable of the unforgiving servant. It is the principal textual focus of the research.

Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: The story in Matthew 18:23–35 in which a servant receives cancellation of a substantial debt but refuses to show comparable mercy to another servant who owes him a smaller debt.

Conflict Resolution: The process of addressing disagreements or disputes through communication, mediation, negotiation, pastoral intervention, accountability, and other appropriate means of reaching a constructive outcome.

Reconciliation: The process of restoring a damaged relationship through appropriate engagement, acknowledgement of wrongdoing, repentance where necessary, and the rebuilding of trust when circumstances permit.

Repentance: A genuine recognition of wrongdoing accompanied by a change in attitude and conduct, which may include confession, restitution, and efforts to avoid repeating the offence.

Accountability: The obligation of individuals to explain and take responsibility for their actions and to accept appropriate corrective or disciplinary measures when necessary.

Anglican Congregations: The local worshipping communities belonging to the Anglican Church represented among the congregations selected for this study.

Pentecostal Congregations: The local worshipping communities belonging to Pentecostal Christian traditions represented among the congregations selected for this study.

Christian Fellowship: The relationships, mutual responsibilities, shared worship, and communal participation that unite members of a Christian congregation.

Owerri, Imo State: The geographical setting in southeastern Nigeria within which the selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations for this study will be located.

Project – An Exegetical Study of Forgiveness in Matthew 18:21–35 and Its Relevance to Conflict Resolution in Nigerian Churches. A study of Selected Anglican and Pentecostal congregations in Owerri, Imo State.